Now if they can find a way to sustain the momentum for a bit, the Rays just might make some real noise over the next three months.

Matt Joyce homered twice, had a career-high five hits and drove in four runs to power the Rays to a 12-7 victory Sunday.

Tampa Bay totaled 11 extra base hits -- five homers and six doubles. The Rays trailed 4-3 before Kevin Kiermaier and Logan Forsythe went deep during a seven-run sixth inning that sent many in the crowd of 32,665 scattering toward the exits.

"We haven't had anything like that all year," Joyce said. "It was nice to come out here and win a big series and swing the bats like we did."

Ben Zobrist also homered for the Rays, who took three of four from Baltimore after starting the series with a 1-7 record against their AL East rivals. The 12 runs were Tampa Bay's second-most this season behind a 16-run outburst on April 19 against the Yankees.

The Rays still own the worst record in the majors, but now there's hope as Tampa Bay prepares for a three-game series at Yankee Stadium beginning Monday night.

"The season we've had, we're playing better baseball," Joyce said. "This was a big series for us going into New York. It was nice to come in here and swing the bats well."

Joyce doubled in the first inning, hit a solo shot in the third, singled in both the fifth and sixth innings and added a two-run drive in the seventh. His five hits and 12 total bases tied club records.

Although the Orioles finally got Joyce out in the ninth with the outcome already decided, his 5-for-6 performance upped his batting average 15 points to .274.

"You really don't have very many days like that," Joyce said. "It's nice to have one of those days and enjoy it."

Alex Cobb (3-6) got the win despite giving up four runs and eight hits in five innings.

"It's really important to keep it going," manager Joe Maddon said. "The focus has to be on winning series. We did this one."